Measles, mumps, and rubella are three highly contagious viral diseases that can cause serious complications and even death. They are preventable by vaccination, but outbreaks still occur in some parts of the world. In this article, you will learn about the symptoms, transmission, treatment, and prevention of these diseases, as well as the pros and cons of getting vaccinated.
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What are measles, mumps, and rubella?
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Measles, mumps, and rubella are three different diseases caused by three different viruses. They are also known as MMR, after the vaccine that protects against them.
- Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection that causes a rash, fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes. It can also affect the brain, lungs, and other organs. Measles can be fatal, especially in young children and people with weakened immune systems1.
- Mumps is a contagious infection that causes swelling of the salivary glands, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and a loss of appetite. It can also affect the testicles, ovaries, pancreas, and brain. Mumps can cause infertility, deafness, meningitis and encephalitis2.
- Rubella is a contagious infection that causes a mild rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and joint pain. It can also affect the eyes, heart, and nervous system. Rubella is especially dangerous for pregnant women, as it can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects in the baby.
How are measles, mumps, and rubella transmitted?
Respiratory droplets transmit measles, mumps and rubella from the nose, mouth or tmouth, of an infected person. They can spread through coughing, sneezing, talking, kissing, or sharing utensils. They can also spread by touching contaminated surfaces or objects. The viruses can survive in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours.
Measles, mumps, and rubella are highly contagious and can infect anyone who is not immune. They can spread before the symptoms appear and for several days after. The incubation period, or the time between exposure and symptoms, varies for each disease:
What are the symptoms of measles, mumps, and rubella?
The symptoms of measles, mumps, and rubella vary depending on the disease and the person. Some people may have mild or no symptoms, while others may have severe or life-threatening symptoms. The following table summarizes the common symptoms of each disease:
| Disease | Symptoms |
| Measles | Rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body <br> High fever <br> – Cough <br> Runny nose <br> – Red eyes <br> small white spots inside the mouth |
| Mumps | Swelling and pain of the salivary glands on one or both sides of the face – Fever <br> Headache <br> Muscle aches <br> loss of appetite <br> Dry mouth |
| Rubella | Rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body <br> low-grade fever <br> Swollen lymph nodes Joint pain <br> Sore throat <br> Red eyes |
What are the complications of measles, mumps, and rubella?
Measles, mumps, and rubella can cause serious and sometimes fatal complications, especially in young children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems. The following table summarizes some of the possible complications of each disease:
| Disease | Complications |
| Measles | Pneumonia <br> Ear infections <br> Diarrhea <br> Blindness <br> Encephalitis (brain inflammation) <br> Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare and fatal brain disorder that can occur years after measles infection <br> – Death |
| Mumps | Orchitis (testicular inflammation) <br> Oophoritis (ovarian inflammation) <br> Pancreatitis (pancreatic inflammation) <br> Meningitis (spinal cord and brain inflammation) <br> Encephalitis (brain inflammation) <br> Deafness <br> Infertility <br> – Death |
| Rubella | congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), a condition that affects the baby if the mother is infected during pregnancy. CRS can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or birth defects such as deafness, blindness, heart defects, mental retardation and organ damage <br> Arthritis <br> Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) <br> Encephalitis (brain inflammation) <br> – Death |
How are measles, mumps, and rubella treated?
There is no specific treatment for measles, mumps, or rubella. The treatment is mainly supportive and aims to relieve the symptoms and prevent complications. Some of the general measures include:
- Resting and drinking plenty of fluids
- Taking over-the-counter painkillers and fever reducers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Applying cold or warm compresses to the swollen glands or joints
- Using eye drops or artificial tears to soothe the eyes
- Isolating from others to avoid spreading the infection
- Seeking medical attention if the symptoms worsen or complications develop
How are measles, mumps, and rubella prevented?
The best way to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella is by getting vaccinated. The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine that protects against all three diseases. It is given in two doses, usually at 12 to 15 months of age and 4 to 6 years of age. Some countries also offer booster doses for adolescents or adults.
The MMR vaccine is recommended for everyone who is not immune, unless they have a medical reason not to get it. People who are not immune include those who:
- I have never had measles, mumps or rubella
- Have never received the MMR vaccine or only received one dose?
- Are not sure about their vaccination or immunity status
- Are planning to travel to areas where these diseases are common?
- Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant?
- Are healthcare workers or work in high-risk settings?
Pros and Cons of Getting Vaccinated
Getting vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella has many benefits but also some risks. Here are some of the pros and cons of getting the MMR vaccine:
| Pros | Cons |
| protects against three serious and potentially fatal diseases. reduces the risk of complications and long-term effects. prevents the spread of the diseases to others, especially vulnerable groups. contributes to the elimination of diseases worldwide | may cause mild side effects, such as pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, fever, rash, headache and joint pain. may cause rare but serious allergic reactions, such as anaphylaxis. may not be suitable for some people, such as those who are allergic to any component of the vaccine, have a weakened immune system, or have a history of seizures or bleeding disorders. may not provide complete protection for everyone, as some people may not respond well to the vaccine or may lose immunity over time |
How effective is the MMR vaccine?
The MMR vaccine is very effective in preventing measles, mumps, and rubella. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the vaccine has a 97% efficacy against measles, 88% against mumps, and 97% against rubella. This means that if 100 people are exposed to these diseases, only 3 will get measles, 12 will get mumps, and 3 will get rubella if they are fully vaccinated.
The MMR vaccine also provides herd immunity, which means that it protects not only the vaccinated individuals but also those who are not vaccinated or cannot be vaccinated, such as infants, pregnant women and immunocompromised people. Herd immunity is achieved when a high percentage of the population is immune to a disease, making it less likely to spread. The WHO estimates that the MMR vaccine has prevented more than 21 million deaths from measles since 2000.
However, the MMR vaccine is not 100% effective and some people may still get infected, especially if they are exposed to a large dose of the virus or have a weak immune response. Therefore, it is important to monitor the symptoms and seek medical attention if needed. It is also important to maintain high vaccination coverage and surveillance to prevent outbreaks and eliminate these diseases globally.
What are the Side Effects of the MMR Vaccine?
The MMR vaccine is generally safe and well-tolerated, but like any vaccine, it may cause some side effects. Most of the side effects are mild and short-lived, such as:
- Pain, redness and swelling at the injection site
- Fever
- Rash
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Lymph node swelling
These side effects usually occur within a few days after the vaccination and last for a few days. They can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers and fever reducers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Applying cold or warm compresses to the injection site or the swollen glands or joints may also help.
However, some people may experience rare but serious allergic reactions to the MMR vaccine, such as:
- Anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that causes breathing difficulties, swelling of the face, throat and tongue, hives, nausea, vomiting and shock
- Thrombocytopenia, a condition that causes low platelet count and increased bleeding or bruising
- Encephalitis, a condition that causes brain inflammation and neurological symptoms, such as seizures, confusion, coma and death
These allergic reactions usually occur within minutes or hours after the vaccination and require immediate medical attention. They can be treated with epinephrine, antihistamines, steroids and other medications.
The risk of these allergic reactions is very low, estimated at less than one in a million doses of the MMR vaccine. The benefits of the MMR vaccine outweigh the risks for most people, but some people may have a higher risk of developing these reactions, such as:
- Those who are allergic to any component of the vaccine, such as gelatin, neomycin or eggs
- Those who have a weakened immune system, such as due to HIV, cancer, chemotherapy, steroids or other medications
- Those who have a history of seizures or bleeding disorders
- Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding
These people should consult their doctor before getting the MMR vaccine or any other vaccine. They may need to avoid the vaccine or receive it under close medical supervision. They may also need to receive other preventive measures, such as immunoglobulin or antiviral drugs, to protect them from measles, mumps and rubella.
How to Get the MMR Vaccine?
The MMR vaccine is available at most health centers, clinics and hospitals. It is usually free or low-cost for children and adults who are eligible. To get the MMR vaccine, you need to:
- Check your vaccination and immunity status. You can do this by looking at your vaccination records, asking your doctor or getting a blood test.
- Schedule an appointment with your doctor or a local health provider. You can also look for walk-in clinics or mobile vaccination units in your area.
- Bring your identification, insurance card and vaccination records. You may also need to fill out some forms and answer some questions about your health history and allergies.
- Receive the vaccine. The MMR vaccine is given as an injection in the upper arm. You will receive one or two doses, depending on your age and previous vaccination history.
- Wait for 15 minutes after the vaccination. This is to monitor for any adverse reactions or side effects. If you experience any, report them to your doctor or health provider.
- Follow the aftercare instructions. You may need to avoid certain activities, medications or foods for a few days after the vaccination. You may also need to keep a record of the date and place of your vaccination.